The dimensions of the Airbus A380 have made it the biggest passenger craft ever built and flown. Although it’s still operated by two pilots, its bulk and features are way beyond ordinary planes.

Major Specifications

The plane can seat a total of 853 people. Lengthwise it reaches 240 ft with a span of 262 ft. It reaches a height of 80 ft with a wheelbase of 100 ft. The cabin is 21 ft wide for the main deck and 19 ft for the upper deck. The wing area is over 9,000 square ft. The jet weighs over 600,000 lbs (nearly 300,000 kg). The dimensions of the Airbus A380 means it can have a takeoff weight of nearly 1.2 million lbs max. In spite of its size, the plane can fly at over 950 km per hour. The service ceiling is 43,000 ft and it has a fuel capacity of 82,000 gallons (US). That is 68,000 in the imp gallon.

Passenger Features

Not surprisingly, the A380 has been called the superjumbo. The cabin alone is 50% bigger than the next largest passenger plane. The plane also has half the cabin noise than other passenger planes. It also produces more cabin air pressure. When it’s setup for the 555 seat arrangement, it’s still 30% bigger than other planes. The dimensions of the Airbus A380 also mean it has bigger windows and nearly 2 ft more headroom. Among the provisions are lounges, snack bars and storage features. Some also have beds and sofas.

Taking Stock of its Size

If the A380 were set on a football field, it would stretch from end goal to end goal. Its wings would extend beyond the sidelines. Its engine thrust reaches up to 75,000 lbs. By contrast, the very first airliner had an engine thrust of 10,000 lbs. To get an idea of its height, stack five giraffes one on top of the other. That’s how tall it is. In other words the dimensions of the Airbus A380 make it as tall as an eight storey edifice. The wings of the A380 are so massive that nearly 5,800 people can fit beneath them. That’s also equivalent to about 8,400 kiwis. The space in the Airbus A380 is so vast two whales can fit inside comfortably. The twin decks are larger than ten squash courts.

Components

The Airbus A380 also uses a lot of advanced materials on its components. The wings are made of quartz fiber reinforced plastic and glass fiber. The wing box is comprised of carbon fiber and plastic. The wing cross is also smoothly shaped. This ensures smoother and more effective use of aerodynamics. The electronics onboard the A380 are linked via the Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet. There are also specific applications built within the modules. The end result is more efficient system integration. The design is also aimed at reducing costs. The dimensions of the Airbus A380 are mind boggling, but it will get bigger. The company has announced future versions will have casinos, gymnasiums and many more.